Washington meal kit giveaway scheduled for Dec. 16

WASHINGTON — Nonprofit organizations Washington For Justice and Latinos For Washington, Inc. are co-sponsoring their fourth annual holiday meal kit giveaway on Saturday, Dec. 16 at 11 a.m. at the Mills Seed Building (212 N. Iowa Ave.) in Washington.

“Due to inflation, some of our community members have to make a decision between paying for food or other expenses,” Latinos for Washington Board Member Cindy Rico Chavez said. “By donating toward these meal kits, we are not only providing nutritious meals to families including children, veterans, and seniors, we are also reducing some of those financial burdens this holiday season.”

The groups anticipate increased grocery costs this year and are budgeting $50 per meal kit.

“We will purchase as many meal kits as we can, but the exact number depends on the amount of donations that come in,” said Bethany Glinsmann, associate director of Washington For Justice and a Latinos For Washington board member. “The donations continue to grow each year. Last year we received donations from several local church groups, and Cafe Dodici held a fundraiser for us, so together we raised more than $3,000. We continue to be amazed and humbled by the Washington community.”

In 2022, the groups distributed 70 meal kits to Washington area families.

“Last year we started giving away food early because people showed up early. We ran out of meal kits before the official start time,” said Jacqueline Arreola, another board member of Latinos For Washington, Inc. “That shows that this program is not just welcome, but very much needed. Families can come and get the kit without having to fill out forms or go through channels and red tape that sometimes make you feel embarrassed.”

Volunteers with the groups say fighting food insecurity is their main motivation.

“I help with this event each year because no one in our community should be hungry,” said Becky Widmer, volunteer with Washington For Justice.

Community members in need of food this year will have the option to select a traditional Midwestern meal kit or a Latino meal kit, with the distribution starting at 11 a.m. on Dec. 16.

Those interested in donating to fund the meal kits can do so electronically via Venmo or PayPal under the username @WashingtonForJustice, or deliver cash or checks (payable to Washington For Justice) to 110 W. Main Street, #4, Washington, IA 52353. Donations are requested by Dec. 12.

For more information, contact WashingtonForJustice@gmail.com